Specs that actually matter for coding
RAM: 16GB minimum, 32GB if you run Docker + IDE + browser daily.
SSD: 512GB floor — node_modules alone will humble a 256GB drive.
Display: 1440p or higher reduces eye strain during long sessions.
macOS vs Windows vs Linux
iOS/macOS developers essentially need Apple Silicon now. Windows/Linux devs have more hardware choice; ThinkPads and Dell XPS lines remain safe bets for Ubuntu dual-boot or WSL2.
AI tooling changed the requirements
Running local LLMs or heavy Copilot workloads benefits from unified memory on Mac or dedicated GPU on Windows. Cloud-based AI tools work fine on mid-range ultrabooks — match hardware to your actual stack.